Sandberg donates $500,000 to YWCA

Gift will help survivors of domestic violence

SAN JOSE >> Survivors of domestic violence already had an uphill battle in summoning the courage, and getting the needed support, to escape abusive lives.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, shelter-in-place orders were issued, and suddenly, leaving a dangerous living situation was met with the prospect of untold danger outside.

And at the shelters and organizations set up to help them escape, an increase in demand for services was cruelly paired with a decrease in capacity, because of the need to implement social distancing and other protective measures against the novel coronavirus.

That was the case at the YWCA Silicon Valley, which in the first month of the shelter order, had to turn away 49 people, CEO Tanis Crosby said.

But her chapter got a big shot in the arm this week with the news that a foundation headed by Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg is donating $500,000 to support their work.

The donation was paired with a $1 million donation to the nationally focused YWCA USA. Crosby said that in the South Bay, the funds will go directly toward providing emergency housing and financial assistance to help give domestic violence survivors stability as they rebuild their lives.

“I cannot overstate how much this means for people in our community right now,” Crosby said

Tuesday. “People are hurting, and survivors of violence need assistance. Sheryl’s gift is going to change and save lives.”

The donation was announced as coming from Sandberg and her fiancé, Tom Bernthal, through the Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg Family Foundation, which bears the name of her late husband.

In a statement, Sandberg said the funding boost was an acknowledgement of the increased demand for support for abused women and children, particularly those who already are underserved.

“The impact is devastating for women, and in particular women of color. We must ensure the critical needs of housing and safety are in place for survivors of violence, and we must seize this moment to fix the structural problems that women face,” Sandberg said.

“YWCA is a leader in addressing the intersection of domestic violence and homelessness in our community. Tom and I are proud to give to YWCA to help them provide life-saving resources for survivors who now, more than ever, need a reliable place to turn for help.”

Crosby echoed that idea, noting that calls to the organization are up, and that the average income of those who seek services is $35,000 or less.

“You look at all of those conditions, that’s why this emergency relief grant is so significant, so survivors in this pandemic aren’t faced with a choice between violence and homelessness,” she said. “Financial insecurity is a barrier to safety for survivors. A lack of financial resources is often a reason why survivors don’t leave.”

Last week, a contingent of women serving on the San Jose City Council led a news conference, with domestic violence support providers, that revealed requests for help were climbing back up after an initial 38% drop they estimated was a result of early uncertainty about COVID-19.

Emergency housing is a particularly vital piece given that there are only 59 domestic violence shelter beds in Santa Clara County, which has a population approaching 2 million.

And even that capacity has been slashed because of social distancing protocols, prompting support providers to turn to a clandestine network of motels and hotels to provide a safe space for their clients.

“Our shelter is not the only answer, and it has limited capacity to begin with,” Crosby said. “We need options like emergency housing, and help people bypass the shelter.”

She said Sandberg’s donation is a lifeline to keep organizations like hers afloat since conventional fundraising methods are essentially on hold during the pandemic.

YWCA Silicon Valley is planning to virtually hold its Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser, which revolves around men donning high heels to raise money toward its annual $1 million fundraising goal to cover service and operating costs.

The yearly Tribute to Women Awards event was postponed to September with the hopes that by then, it can be held in some way closer to its conventional form.

“We’re now asking people to help us with the last mile,” Crosby said, “and help us cross that finish line.”